Reetika Hooda Shows Promise Before Quarterfinal Exit In Paris Olympics 2024

Indian wrestler Reetika Hooda on Saturday bowed out of the Paris Olympics after impressing in her narrow quarterfinal defeat at the hands of top seed Aiperi Medet Kyzy in the women's 76kg event in Paris. The repechage route for Reetika was closed by American Kennedy Blades, who defeated the Kyrgyzstan wrestler Aiperi 8-6 in an energy-sapping semifinal. Reetika's defeat means India's campaign at the Games ended with six medals - one short of its tally at the Tokyo edition. Up against the Asian Games champion and World Championship silver medallist, Reetika managed to restrict her formidable rival to standing wrestling but eventually lost the bout on criteria after it ended 1-1.

If the two wrestlers end with the same score, the one who scores the last point is declared winner.

In the morning session, Reetika displayed power and skill in equal measure while outclassing Bernadett Nagy of Hungary to enter the quarter-finals, which she won by technical superiority. She needed only 29 seconds to gain a decisive 10-point lead over the Hungarian, winning 12-2.

It was the first time that India had an entry at the Olympics in the women's 76kg division.

The 21-year old Reetika had become India's female U23 world champion last year.

A little more experience of battling quality senior wrestlers would have helped her get an upset win.

"You can't win bouts by just defence," India coach Virender Dahiya fumed.

"Yes, she fought well but what's the point if your strong defence does not get you win. Reetika did not let her attack but she herself did not attack. You lose by one point, or 10 points, you lose. Reetika could have won this bout," he said.

The Kyrgyzstan wrestler began on an aggressive note with a double leg attack but Reetika,